Street Clean-Up Operation Begins
Before dawn on Saturday, Juba City Council vehicles rolled into Customs and Konyo-Konyo, dismantling makeshift stalls that had narrowed the capital’s busiest arteries.
The sweep marks the most assertive bid in months to restore order, reduce traffic snarls and upgrade sanitation along the vital corridor linking Juba Port to the airport.
Safety First, Says Mayor
Mayor Christopher Sarafino Wani Swaka framed the exercise as a life-saving measure rather than a crackdown, noting that vendors had spilled onto tarmac used by speeding minibuses.
“Protection of lives and property sits at the top of our mandate,” he told reporters, adding that organised markets deter pickpockets and reassure evening shoppers.
Traders Weigh Choices
Some hawkers worry that foot traffic will dip off the main road, yet chamber of commerce data show nearly one-third of formal stalls inside Custom Market remain empty.
“Street space feels lucrative, but streets belong to everyone,” the mayor argued, hinting at fines for future encroachment if voluntary compliance falters.
New Sites and University Deal
To cushion livelihoods, authorities have opened spare bays at Konyo-Konyo and Jebel markets and secured an adjacent field through an agreement with the University of Juba.
Officials say allocation will prioritise women vendors and youth cooperatives, a gesture meant to underline the city’s social-protection agenda while keeping commerce alive.
Road Ahead for Urban Order
Council inspectors are expected to monitor the cleaned corridors daily over the next fortnight, sweeping litter and checking that improvised kiosks do not reappear overnight.
If the pilot succeeds, city hall hints the model could extend to other hotspots, aligning with national plans for a safer, greener capital (Eye Radio, 2025).